Archive for category: Addiction

I’ve recently had folks around me inquire what qualifies a person as an alcoholic? And how long does it take to become dependent on the most commonly used and abused drug in the world?

Alcohol abuse is responsible for over 100,000 deaths annually in the United States alone, making it the fourth leading cause of preventable death in the country.

The forthcoming celebrations during holiday parties, family gatherings and football get-to-gathers, may have you question the same. Am I an alcoholic? Here’s some thoughts.

Alcohol use disorder (alcoholism) is identified when the use of alcohol becomes  problematic as the inability to limit the quantity of intake is no longer controlled. Alcoholism often becomes an obsession within the mind that interferes with daily routines. The disorder also involves having to drink more to get the same effect or having withdrawal symptoms when you rapidly decrease or stop drinking.

“Unhealthy alcohol consumption includes any alcohol use that puts your health or safety at risk or causes other alcohol-related problems. It also includes binge drinking; the pattern of drinking where a male has five or more drinks within two hours or a female has at least four drinks within two hours. Binge drinking causes significant health and safety risks,” (Mayo Clinic).

If your pattern of drinking results in repeatedly significant distress and problems functioning in your daily life, you are likely to have alcohol use disorder. It can range from mild to severe (DSM-5). However, even a mild disorder can escalate and lead to serious problems, so prompt treatment is important.

Symptoms

Alcohol use disorders can be mild, moderate, or severe, based on the number of symptoms you experience. Signs and symptoms may include:

• Being unable to limit the amount of alcohol you drink
• Wanting to cut down on how much you drink or making unsuccessful attempts to do so
• Spending a lot of time drinking, getting alcohol, or recovering from alcohol use
• Feeling a strong craving or urge to drink alcohol
• Failing to fulfill major obligations at work, school or home due to repeated alcohol use
• Continuing to drink alcohol even though you know it’s causing physical, social, work or relationship problems
• Giving up or reducing social and work activities and hobbies to use alcohol
• Using alcohol in situations where it’s not safe, such as when driving or swimming
• Developing a tolerance to alcohol so you need more to feel its effect, or you have a reduced effect from the same amount
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, sweating, and shaking, when you don’t drink, or drink to avoid these symptoms

Alcohol use disorder can include periods of being drunk (alcohol intoxication) and symptoms of withdrawal.

• Alcohol intoxication results as the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream increases. The higher the blood alcohol concentration is, the more likely you are to have adverse effects. Alcohol intoxication causes behavior problems and mental changes. These may include inappropriate behavior, unstable moods, poor judgment, slurred speech, problems with attention or memory, and poor coordination. You can also have periods called “blackouts,” where you don’t remember events. Extremely high blood alcohol levels can lead to coma, permanent brain damage or even death.
• Alcohol withdrawal can occur when alcohol use has been heavy and prolonged and is then stopped or reduced. It can occur within several hours, 4 to 5 days later. Signs and symptoms include sweating, rapid heartbeat, hand tremors, problems sleeping, nausea and vomiting, hallucinations, restlessness and agitation, anxiety, and occasional seizures. Symptoms can be severe enough to impair your ability to function at work or in social situations.
• Death by alcohol occurs when the brain and body cannot function because of the dependency or addiction. Withdrawal and detoxification must be monitored medically. Hospitalization with medication that safely allows the brain and body to detox prevents shut down of the respiratory system, seizures, and liver function.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines one standard drink as any one of these:

• 12 ounces (355 milliliters) of regular beer (about 5% alcohol)
• 8 to 9 ounces (237 to 266 milliliters) of malt liquor (about 7% alcohol)
• 5 ounces (148 milliliters) of wine (about 12% alcohol)
• 1.5 ounces (44 milliliters) of hard liquor or distilled spirits (about 40% alcohol)

Many people with alcohol use disorder hesitate to get treatment because they don’t recognize that they have a problem. An intervention from loved ones can help some people recognize and accept that they need professional help. If you’re concerned about someone who drinks too much, ask a professional experienced in alcohol treatment for advice on how to approach that person.

Below are three support groups that can assist in long-term sobriety.

SMART Recovery. https://www.smartrecovery.org/

Celebrate Recovery. https://www.celebraterecovery.com/

Alcoholics Anonymous. https://www.aa.org/

Please reach out if you would like to identify your own concerns with alcohol consumption and/or are struggling with a loved one who may have become addicted to alcohol.